We serve privately held and family businesses, angel and venture-backed companies, public companies, foundations, not-for-profit and public sector organizations, and high net worth individuals and their families.

IRS Phishing/Phone Scam Warning Hits Home for This Tax Accountant

Posted on Feb 15, 2016

By Jane Searing, CPA

The IRS Tax Tip 2016-19 on scam calls and emails issued on February 12, 2016, was timely and actionable – especially to me, as a mother of an adult son with autism. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are at greater risk of falling prey to these criminals.

Our son received these scam calls at our home and they were not only aggressive, they were persistent. They were willing to give me a phone number, a name, and a badge number. They did not back down when I told them I was a tax accountant and I knew they were fraudsters ̶ they called repeatedly.

Our son no longer lives at home with us, so I used this list as a great reminder for him of what the IRS will NEVER ask for and what to do if he receives an email or a phone call. I printed the list out and posted it by his computer as a reminder. I share a reformatted list here for your reference. Please share it with anyone you think would benefit from the information. Having clear guidance can be a great comfort when confronted with very aggressive and convincing bad actors.

The real IRS will NOT:

Call you to demand immediate payment of taxes.

Call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.

Demand tax payment and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.

Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For example, demand that you pay with a prepaid debit card.

Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

Threaten to bring in local police or other agencies to arrest you without paying.